Faced with the insurmountable task of either approving the Perico mediation agreement or continuing the legal battle alone against the planned Arvida-St. Joe Co. 686-unit condominium project, Anna Maria city commissioners were given little choice at their Nov. 18 meeting.

Manatee County officials have told the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that they intend to file an application for emergency beach renourishment of Anna Maria Island following the loss of beach from the four hurricanes that struck Florida in August and September.

State Senator Mike Bennett has told the West Manatee Fire & Rescue District that it's time to talk consolidation among Manatee County fire districts as a means of saving money - and finding enough funds and personnel to meet the state's "two-in, two-out rule" for firefighters at the scene of a structural blaze.